William and Harry the reindeer came to say hello to the children at the EACH Treehouse in Ipswich. L-R Katherine Lowe with her baby Daisy, Marilyn Brown, Jeanette and Tilly Jennings.

A SUFFOLK hospice that cares for children with life-limiting conditions has enjoyed yet another royal-related visit.

The Treehouse in Ipswich – which was thrown into the national spotlight earlier this year when the Duchess of Cambridge made her first public speech at the hospice – got into the festive spirit yesterday by welcoming two of Santa’s helpers, reindeers William and Harry.

Workers at the hospice in St Augustine’s Gardens, which unveiled a £3million purpose-built facility in March, said the visit had helped ignite a feeling of Christmas.

The reindeers were brought to the hospice by Cliff Collins, of Elmsett-based Cobwebs Donkeys, who said he wanted to “give something back” this Christmas.

Sarah Pink, a play worker at the hospice, said: “This adds to the magic of Christmas. Seeing the children’s faces light up and Tilly wearing her reindeer hat especially for the visit makes you realise just how special Christmas is to the families we support and how much fun they had meeting real reindeer.”

Megan Blyth, another play worker, said: “It’s a whole new experience for the children and staff here to meet a reindeer – it really starts off the feeling of Christmas.” The Treehouse is run by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH), which supports children and their families in Cambridgeshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk. The Duchess of Cambridge is the patron of EACH.